Best Price for Window Shrink Kits?

[IntercomGroupPage]

Anybody know where I can get the best deal on shrink wrap kits for my windows? I'm trying to do a better job insulating my house to save on oil this winter!

 

[Bbbethei]

I know this doesn't provide much help right now, but I always buy mine at the end of the season for 75-90% off. In the past two years I've purchased enough to last for at least ten years. Towards the end of winter keep an eye on the end caps at Target!

 

[IntercomGroupPage]

That's an awesome idea, I will definitely be doing that!

 

[LoriKutchey]

Last year I bought mine for our cottage at ACE hardware it was their brand and it was half of what the 3M brand was. I will definately keep my eye out at the end of winter for close out prices though. Great idea!

Good Luck, Laurie

 

[cepmom]

sorry, can't give any info on good prices, but just had a question for those that use these kits. How good do they work? Do they look like saran wrap covering the windows? Most of our windows are fairly new, but we have one room in the back (faces north ) that has awful windows. There are 9 of these windows in there and the room is pretty cold in the winter. I am wondering if these window shrink kits would help much. There aren't any shades or blinds on the windows (just curtain panels) so there's nothing to cover up the plastic look if they look horrible, you know?

 

[VanessasMom]

I shrink wrap all the windows in my house and you can't even tell. I use the Duck brand they sell at Menard's. Once you use the hairdryer to heat it, the wrinkles all come out and they are tightly sealed on your window. You can't even see it. They work great. You will notice a lower energy bill and no drafts! Love 'em.

 

[IntercomGroupPage]

Oh cepmom, they work FANTASTIC. It takes about 10 mins per window to put it... you use double sided tape (comes in kit) and smooth the plastic over it. Then take a hairdryer and it "shrinks" the plastic to make a tight seal (it's oddly satisfying to me to do this step!

The difference is AMAZING. My old house had 100 year old windows. You could actually see the curtains moving from the drafts in the GLASS, never mind the edges. After I put up the plastic, no more breezes and it was noticeably less cold. I measured the temp in front of a window once... it was 52 F without the plastic, after I put it on it shot up to 65. BIG difference!

 

[cepmom]

thanks guys! Now I am convinced we need these window shrink kits this year. Along with increasing heating bills, I now have a DD in college so I'm on the look out for any money saving tips I can find

 

[jcemom]

I used to use them all the time before we got cats. They shrink up really tight and become virtually invisible from the inside and out. They really cut down on drafts from windows.

If anyone here has cats and has found a way to still use the plastic on their windows, please share your tricks with me, LOL. My cats would shred them in a heartbeat and I can't think of any other way to add some extra insulation to my windows now. I tried putting it on the outside once, but it's so windy where I live that the wind eventually pulled it off.

 

[dakcp2001]

They make a huge diff in temperature, they made a huge difference in keeping our home warm. However, like the prev poster, my cat simply doesnt want them. lol.

Last year we spent all this time sealing them up all perfect, no bumps or ridges, then the cat wanted the wndow sill, so he sliced it and walked right in, as if it was totally normal. I almost cried!

We ended up taping the cat holes with clear tape, it was pretty effective but looked awful. Cat got sick of me yelling at him and sort of caught on end of the winter.


When you seal, be careful not to get too close with the haridryer or you get a hole.

 

[minnie1928]

for the cat problem, would spraying them with water when you catch them in the act help?

FWIW, I used the plastic at my previous house over the gas fireplace (we never used it) and it made a HUGE difference! I left it on year round, and once I put a fireplace screen up, you never knew it was there!

 

[jcemom]

for the cat problem, would spraying them with water when you catch them in the act help?

It probably would... eventually. I don't know if I'm up to patching and patching the holes in the meantime though. Darn cats, LOL.

 

[HelenePA]

Big Lots!! They have a HUGE roll of the plastic for about 6.50$ and you'll need to buy the tape seperate but its MUCH MUCH cheaper than buying the "kits" I've already got 2 rolls put away to do all my windows and yes it helps ALOT!!

 

[dakcp2001]

I usually buy the 3m brand, by the way, for the kits,I have never tried the less expensive ones, so I am glad to here that they work well!


When I spray my cat with water, he keeps doing waht hes doing, he just looks at me with that "why am I wet" face. Doesnt deter him at all. lol.

Then I have a wet annoyed cat behaving badly.

 

[jjenniboo]

Just bought some at walmart yesterday. It was the duck brand in a green box. You have to cut the plastic yourself 2 inches wider then your window (there are other brands that are precut) then apply the double sided tape and shrink it with the dryer. It was $10 and does 10 windows. I thought it was a good deal.

 

[jjjmranch]

Oh man, I stocked up at Meijer this past spring when they had them on clearance. They were 25 cents each. How could I beat that? I think I bought at least 10 of them. The 3M kind too!

As for the cat issue, you could buy the outside versions of the plastic film wrap. Make sure you apply them before it turns around 45 degrees. They stick fine and work just as well. That eliminates the cats from putting holes in them.

Good luck everyone on your heating bills this winter!

 

[DisneyForLife]

Does anyone put these on windows that don't open as well as double hung windows? I have 5 six by six foot windows that don't open and I don't know if I should cover them.
Thanks

 

[IntercomGroupPage]

Does anyone put these on windows that don't open as well as double hung windows? I have 5 six by six foot windows that don't open and I don't know if I should cover them.
Thanks

Are they drafty?

 

[budbeerlady]

I wonder if they make any big enough to door the sliding glass doors? I am looking for anyway to save this winter and even though its only 8 years old its always cooler next to the slider and its in our dining room so that doesnt help!

 

[IntercomGroupPage]

Yes, they make all kinds of sizes and I believe 3M makes one specifically for a sliding glass door.